November 2012. Buglife Chief Executive Matt Shardlow has given evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee on insects and insecticides; calling for the immediate suspension of neonicotinoid pesticides. Buglife believes the Government should suspend the use of these pesticides on the precautionary principles enshrined in European legislation.

30 studies give cause for concern

Since 2009 there have been over 30 credible scientific studies into the effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators showing a far greater concern for the potential impact of their usage (94% of all the credible studies undertaken). 90% of all pollination is by wild pollinators and pollination is estimated to be worth £510 million per annum to UK agriculture; if the use of these pesticides reduces pollinations by just five per cent the net result of their use will be economic loss.

“The economic case for neonicotinoids is marginal at best the environmental cost is a price too high to pay. The use of these indiscriminate pesticides must be suspended before it is too late to halt the alarming decline in wild pollinators.” – Matt Shardlow commented.

Italy, Germany, France and Serbia have all suspended the use of neonicotinoids

“Italy, Germany, France and Serbia are among the nations to have already suspended the use of these killers. It is time the Government realised that the public have no wish for the UK to be considered the dirty old man of Europe.”

Thanks to Andre Nemesio of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (Brazil), nerds everywhere can share this piece of taxonomic trivia with their friends of average intellect. Nemesio has named a newly described species of orchard bee Euglossa bazinga, an homage to television’s patron saint of geniuses, Dr. Sheldon Cooper. And if you don’t get the joke, you’re not a fan of The Big Bang Theory.